That's like some charitable organizations have membership dues, which are deductible if you don't get any financial or tangible benefit.

And then there's the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society, where the "dues" are like $20, and that includes the magazine. Other "members' benefits" include things like discounts on other books or things you might buy.

I'm not 100% sure , but I don't recall seeing a thing that said that the "dues" were not deductible. And it IS possible to make a deductible contribution to those organizations, but I doubt it's good at the basic level.

Similarly, my school's alumni association has different levels of membership. Above the basic level, you get a deduction - reduced for the goodies they give you, of course. (Things like the newest school t-shirt and bumper sticker.)

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